Match-box.



A. PREVOST.

MATCH BOX. APPLICATION FILED FEB- 15. I91 L Patented Aug. 21, 1917.

INVENTOR ATTORN EY p I l,

ALrHonzo rnnvosr, or Donates, anIzoivA.

MATCI-IQBOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A110. 21, 1917.

Application filed February 16, 1917. Serial ITO/149,060.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Anrnonzo Pmivosr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Douglas, in the county of Cochise and State of Arizona, have invented new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to match boxes, and the object is to provide in connection with an. article of the character described, a toy or the like designed for the amusement of the individual using the device.

In the accompanying drawing, forming part of the specification Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a box partly open.

Fig. 2 is a view in section showing a plurality of compartments within an outer casing.

Fig. 3 illustrates a modification.

The combined article referred to includes an outer casing 10 having within one side thereof a recess 12, and in the other side a similarly formed recess 14, each of these recesses being closed by covers, which are designated respectively 15 and 16. These covers are the usual slides having clovetailed connection with theedges of the box, and having thumb or finger engaging portions indicated by 18. The slides may operate in opposite directions for convenience 1n handling the article.

In the right hand recess 12 matches may be placed and in the left hand recess 14 there will be mounted a toy of any suitable character, in the present instance the head of a snake being shown. This toy member is pivoted at 20 and has suitable connection with slide 16 in order to permit rota tion when the slide is operated. The connecting member is designated 20. The parts are so proportioned that the head of the snake or more properly speaking the fang thereof, which is represented by a pin or sharpened point 21, will engage the finger when the latter is in position to open the slide, or the opening movement has just been completed.

to operate in the same direction if desired.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a form in which the slides are mounted to operate in the same direction when opening the box, the slides being connected by means of a transverse member 25 which may have a thumb member 26 near the central portion thereof. In this form of device the owner-of the box may turn the latter in such position that the match receptacle may be most accessible to him, and when the person to whom a match is to be offered, by way of a joke, attempts to open the box, the slide may be operated by member 26 for throwing the toy member outwardly, as above indicated, and for opening the match receptacle proper. The owner of the box then withdraws the match from his side of the box, the opposite side (within easy reach of the other individual), containing no matches, but instead thereof the toy mentioned. After the first surprise, the box is turned so that the second person to receive a match may obtain it without difliculty.

I claim 1. In a match box, a casing including a receptacle on one side thereof, means for closing said receptacle, said casing also including a compartment on the opposite side, a cover for closing said compartment, a toy pivoted. within the compartment, and arranged to be operated and thrown outwardly by the movement of the cover.

2. In a match box, a casing comprising a central partition member, end. and side portions, recesses being formed on opposite sides of the central partition, a cover for each of the recesses, said covers operating in opposite directions, a toy pivoted within one of the recesses, means for connecting the toy With the adjacent cover, said cover being provided With finger engaging means.

3. In a match box, a casing comprising a central partition member, end and side portions, recesses being formed on opposite sides of thecentral partition, a cover for each of the recesses, said covers operating in opposite directions, a toy pivoted Within one of the recesses, means for connecting 10 the toy With the adjacent cover, said cover being provided With finger engaging means, and said toy having a sharpened point.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ALPHONZO PREVOST.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing" the Commissioner of Patents,- Washington, D. C. 

